🚀 PXPlay 1.9.0 PC Cross-Platform Beta

The PXPlay beta is now unified across platforms.

With version 1.9.0, Windows, Linux and macOS share the same beta version number for the first time. All desktop platforms now use the modern GPU-based rendering architecture with upscaling support which was introduced over the previous beta cycles.

This release also includes test builds for every platform, allowing you to try PXPlay without a license key for evaluation and feedback purposes.

PXPlay 1.9.0 is still a beta release. While already stable for most systems, further refinements and adjustments will follow before the final stable rollout. Feedback is welcome, preferably on the PXPlay (PSPlay) subreddit or via streamingdv@outlook.com.

🖥️ Platform Overview

🍎 macOS Beta (1.9.0)

The macOS version continues to build on the modern Metal-based architecture introduced earlier and is now aligned with the unified 1.9.0 beta generation.

Highlights

Metal Rendering Engine

• Metal is the default rendering backend
• MetalFX spatial upscaling support up to 2K and 4K
• Zero-copy GPU rendering pipeline
• Optimized for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

macOS UI

• Native macOS look and feel
• Automatic Dark and Light Mode switching
• Improved layout consistency and stream preview
• Mouse UI mode support

Performance and Stability

• Faster startup behavior
• Improved decoder stability
• Reduced risk of rare video freezes
• Improved controller handling and latency refinements

🪟 Windows Beta (1.9.0)

The Windows version is now part of the unified beta branch and includes the fully integrated modern rendering pipeline.

Highlights

D3D11 Rendering Engine

• D3D11 is the default backend
• Zero-copy GPU rendering for minimal latency
• Improved compatibility across older and newer Windows systems
• Frame pacing modes: Lowest Latency and Balanced

Improved Vulkan Rendering Engine

• Optional high quality post-processing filters:
  • Debanding
  • Clarity boost
• High Quality video enhancement mode

Spatial Upscaling

• FSR 1.0 upscaling support (for the D3D11 and Vulkan Rendering pipeline)
• Adjustable sharpening strength

HDR and Tone Mapping

• Native HDR output support (D3D11/ Vulkan Rendering)
• HDR tone mapping for SDR displays (D3D11/ Vulkan Rendering)

UI Improvements

• Dark Mode support
• Various UI refinements and consistency improvements

🐧 Linux Beta (1.9.0)

The Linux version continues to focus on performance and broad GPU compatibility and is now fully synchronized with the 1.9.0 beta branch.

Highlights

Updted modern Vulkan Rendering Backend

• Hardware accelerated GPU rendering
• Zero-copy processing where supported
• Reduced latency rendering path

Spatial Upscaling

• Integrated GPU-based spatial upscaling via FSR 1.0
• Adjustable sharpening strength

Performance

• Reduced rendering overhead
• Improved stability across different driver configurations

Desktop Integration

• Improved platform integration
• UI consistency refinements
• Dark theme support

🔍 Rendering Architecture Across All Platforms

PXPlay 1.9.0 represents the completion of the modern rendering transition across desktop platforms.

GPU-First Pipeline

• Full GPU pipeline from decoding to presentation
• Zero-copy rendering where supported
• Reduced CPU usage
• Lower input latency

Advanced Spatial Upscaling

• 2K and 4K output support via MetalFX or FSR 1.0
• GPU-based spatial upscaling
• Improved clarity on high resolution displays
• Adjustable sharpening options

Improved Frame Pacing

• Reduced micro stuttering
• Better synchronization with display refresh rates
• Balanced and low latency modes where supported
  (- Frame pacing options NOT YET available on Linux)

🧪 Test Builds Available

All platforms now include dedicated test versions:

• No license key required
• Ideal for evaluation and compatibility testing
• Perfect for reporting rendering, driver or hardware specific issues

Feedback is especially valuable for:

• GPU and driver edge cases
• HDR behavior
• Upscaling quality comparisons
• Latency and frame pacing behavior
• Performance of D3D11/ Vulkan rendering

🔧 Additional Improvements

• Refined license key validation
• Improved rendering error handling
• Various backend fixes and refinements
• General stability improvements across all platforms

⚠️ Important Notes

• PXPlay 1.9.0 is a beta release
• Features may still be adjusted before the stable release
• GPU and driver specific issues may still occur
• Visual artifacts or regressions are possible on certain configurations

If you encounter issues, regressions or unexpected behavior, your feedback helps shape the final release.

Thank you for testing PXPlay 1.9.0 and supporting the cross-platform journey 🙏